Cats

Detective Beans: The Case of the Missing Hat / Li Chen

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Detective Beans: The Case of the Missing Hat
By: Li Chen
Genre: Graphic Novel, Middle Grade
Number of Pages: 208
Published: October 15, 2024
Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing
Dates Read: December 21, 2024
Format: Library Book / Hardcover

Detective Beans is the best kitten detective in town, dedicated to doing whatever it takes to solve the case. One morning, Detective Beans wakes to find his detective hat missing! Now, Beans must do what every good detective does – hit the streets of Cat Town and follow the clues. With every twist and turn, Detective Beans is one step closer to finding his hat – and solving a much bigger case than he could have ever imagined.

So I hadn’t heard of Detective Beans before seeing this at a librarian’s preview event. But, I love anything and everything cats so a cat detective graphic novel was a must.

This book was not only adorable, but phunny at the same time. The absolute absurdness of Detective Beans’ case made me turn the pages more and more. I may have read it in one setting, but I would die for Beans.

I cannot wait for more stories of this Detective. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to go find him online.

The Sneaking, Hiding, Vibrating Creature / Nathan W. Pyle

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The Sneaking, Hiding, Vibrating Creature
By: Nathan W. Pyle
Genre: Children’s, Humor
Number of Pages: 36
Published: June 1, 2021
Publisher: HarperCollins
Dates Read: December 16, 2024
Format: Library Book / Hardcover

Offspring and Lifegiver observe a strange creature that sneaks, hides, and vibrates around their house.

I have been following Nathan W. Pyle on Instagram for ages but has yet to read a book of his. This one came back at the front desk of the library while I was working up there and I immediately read it right then and there because it’s about cats.

I laughed out loud and shared the pages with coworkers throughout the day who had cats. Also have used the phrase “flavor muscle” to describe a tongue on multiple occasions.

I think this book will make both children and adults who have cats smile and laugh at the strange behaviors of these four legged felines described by aliens.

Bodega Cats: Picture Purrfect / Hilda Eunice Burgos, Siara Faison (Illustrator)

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Bodega Cats: Picture Purrfect
By: Hilda Eunice Burgos, Siara Faison (Illustrator)
Genre: Children’s, Middle Grade
Number of Pages: 160
Published: July 23, 2024
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
Dates Read: September 15, 2024
Format: ARC / eBook

Miguel wants nothing more than to be far away from his family’s bodega in Washington Heights – seeing and drawing the world. For street-savvy and newly adopted cat Lolo, staying inside the bodega pounds perfect, as long as he’s out of the freezing cold.

But when Miguel ditches his responsibilities and lies to his parents about joining an art club, his art dream may come crashing down. Lolo must decide if he’s willing to be there no Miguel through anything, even venturing back outside into scary New York City sidewalks. 

This is such a cute and sweet story for young readers. The illustrations alongside the chapters added to the cuteness (though I got an digital ARC of this title, so some of the illustrations were not fully flushed out yet, I’m going to have to get my hands on a finished copy).

I also really enjoyed Lolo’s point of view – especially since the kitten seems to understand humans a lot more than we give our four legged friends credit for.

This book will be great for young readers, especially since it’s about following your passion while still balancing parental expectations as well.

*Thank you Henry Holt and Co. and NetGalley for an advance digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Cat + Gamer (Volume 5) / Wataru Nadatani

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Cat + Gamer (Volume 5)
By: Wataru Nadatani
Genre: Manga
Number of Pages: 160
Published: July 9, 2024 (1st Published December 18, 2020)
Publisher: Dark Horse Manga
Dates Read: July 31, 2024
Format: Library Book / Paperback

From fighting the zoomies, to taking a photo worth a million, Volume 5 of Cat + Gamer is bond to have your cracking smiles with every page turn.

I think I enjoyed this volume most out of all of them I’ve read. I read it all in one setting, in bed right before going to sleep, and I laughed out loud so many times I’m honestly shocked I didn’t wake my sleeping partner in the process.

One of the things I enjoyed was the inner thoughts of the cats and how their lives also revolve around gaming and gaming terms. It honestly used to annoy me a lot when Kozakura would compare everything they did to gaming, but now that the cats are also “in on it”, it makes it all the more better in some weird way.

Another thing I really enjoyed was the simple things that you do as a cat owner, that others just won’t get unless you have cats – example: giving your cats a bath. It’s not as simple as it sounds and the facial expressions that Wataru Nadatani gave Soboro had tears in my eyes as I tried not to laugh so hard while reading.

Overall, this is still a series I’ve been handing recommendations out with left and right. I’ve also been getting them from the library as they become available but have decided, after reading this volume, that I need to just physically own the series. So, now I’m in that process.

Seriously, if you have cats, read this book. If you have cats and love gaming, really read this book. You won’t regret it!

A Man and His Cat, Volume 1 / Umi Sakurai

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A Man and His Cat, Volume 1
By: Umi Sakurai
Genre: Manga
Number of Pages: 148
Published: February 11, 2020 (1st Published February 22, 2018)
Publisher: Square Enix Manga
Dates Read: June 13, 2024
Format: Library Book / Paperback

A kitten lives unwanted and unloved in a pet shop. His price drops every day and no one spares him a glance unless it’s to call him names. Imagine his surprise when an older gentleman comes into the store and takes him home! Come follow the cat’s and his new human’s life as they start off on this new adventure together.

First off – I want to know who is calling Fukumaru ugly, because I will fight them. He is adorable and I fell in love with him on the first page and I am so glad his Dad found him.

Secondly, this story will give you all the feels. Not only has this cat been alone for so long, but his Dad is needing his own healing (though it hasn’t been said outright, you make the connection what he needs help healing from pretty quickly).

This story is about longing, and hope, but most of all, it’s about love.

If you have a soft spot for cats, this manga is definitely for you.

Cat + Gamer (Volume 4) / Wataru Nadatani

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Cat + Gamer (Volume 4)
By: Wataru Nadatani
Genre: Manga
Number of Pages: 168
Published: February 24, 2024 (1st Published July 17, 2020)
Publisher: Dark Horse Manga
Dates Read: March 13, 2024
Format: Library Book / Paperback

In this volume, Riko adopts a new kitten to add to the family, to keep Musubi company. In comes Soboro, a munchkin calico. Double the cuteness.

I always loved when people take the time to introduce new pets to their current ones. Each time I got a new pet, we just introduced them to my cat, Mushi, the day we brought them home.

I still don’t care as much for Riko’s gaming analogies but I stay for the cats. I do want to say I love how she interacts with the felines while she is gaming and that though she gets upset if they mess her up, it’s never anything super crazy.

Overall, this manga is filled with the cuteness of owning a cat(s) for the first time; especially for someone who is introverted and used to being on their own.

Cat + Gamer: Volumes 1-3 / Wataru Nadatani

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I’m going to do something a little different with this post and have the reviews for 3 separate books. They’re all from same manga series and I read them back to back to back, so in a way, they all bled together. And my reviews for manga volumes are already so short since the volumes are never that long to begin with.

Cat + Gamer (Volume 1)

By: Wataru Nadatani

Genre: Manga

Number of Pages: 192

Published: May 24, 2022 (1st Published May 17, 2019)

Publisher: Dark Horse Manga

Dates Read: February 1, 2024

Format: Library Book / Paperback

29-year-old Riko’s life revolves around video games. One day, she says yes to taking in a kitten found in the parking lot. Riko’s never had a pet before, but she uses lessons drawn from video games to help care for her new four legged roommate. 

This is cute and I very much enjoy it. 

Riko learning about the different stages of her new kitten’s life is adorable and it just reminds me so much of my two cats when they were kittens (I’ve got a 13 year-old and a 3 year-old).

Her setting up the online account to just post photos of Musubi is relatable, because 90% of my phone’s gallery is also just pet photos.

Cat + Gamer (Volume 2)

By: Wataru Nadatani

Genre: Manga

Number of Pages: 176

Published: August 23, 2022 (1st Published August 16, 2019)

Publisher: Dark Horse Manga

Dates Read: February 1, 2024

Format: Library Book / Paperback

Riko and Musubi learn what it’s like living together. Riko learns more and more about Musubi- such as his favorite toys, treats, and sleeping spots. Musubi learns how to tell Riko it’s time for food.

Is this the best manga on the planet? No, but it’s cute and I still love reading about Musubi’s antics.

Cat + Gamers (Volume 3)

By: Wataru Nadatani

Genre: Manga

Number of Pages: 168

Published: October 10, 2023 (1st Published March 18, 2020)

Publisher: Dark Horse Manga

Dates Read: February 2, 2024 

Format: Library Book / Paperback

Okay, but the entirety of Riko finding all the cat toys only for Musubi to lose one half a second later is so real I couldn’t stop laughing. Especially since the morning I read this, I legit just pulled 6 toys out from under the washer and dryer for my own cat (including a balled up receipt she was most excited for).

Other things in this volume include: hallucinated video game dreams, a cat bath, and finding the turnaround on a cat’s favorite toy.

Meowl-o-ween / Diane Muldrow, Tiffany Chen (Illustrator)

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Meowl-o-ween
By: Diane Muldrow, Tiffany Chen (Illustrator)
Genre: Children’s, Holiday
Number of Pages: 41
Published: September 5, 2023
Publisher: Astra Young Readers
Dates Read: October 14, 2023
Format: Library Book / Hardcover

Meowl-o-ween is about the neighborhood cats that move around the carved pumpkins and decorations in preparation of spooking the trick-or-treaters out on the streets. A lone kitten is overwhelmed by the crowds and gets separated from their mother.

Okay, this is just adorable. I couldn’t help myself.

A Halloween book with cats.

Adorable cats – with facial expressions and silliness.

I loved it.

Nice change of pace from the older books I was reading. Saw this in a librarian’s newsletter and immediately went and found it on our shelves.

Possibly going to buy myself my own copy – even though I don’t have kids, that’s how much I love it.

Pumpkin the Cat / Jonathan Yavin

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Pumpkin the Cat
By: Jonathan Yavin, Gilad Soffer (Illustrator)
Genre: Children's
Number of Pages: 32
Published: July 18, 2023 (1st Published 2005)
Publisher: Gefen Publishing House
Dates Read: June 25, 2023
Format: eBook

When a father brings home a kitten to his young son, at first the boy wants nothing to do with it, he hates cats! But the orange kitten quickly wins over the boy’s heart and changes everyone’s mind.

I’m a sucker for cat books – especially children cat books. Just look at the illustration of Pumpkin on the cover! How could you not?

This was an adorable children’s book about a boy, who was once scratched by a cat, and got over his fear to welcome home the new orange kitten his father brought.

The text is simple and easy for children to follow.

The illustrations are adorable and there are a ton of hidden easter eggs in the background, especially with the boy’s toys.

I don’t have any younger children to read this too, but once I do, I’ll be reading them this. But also – adults will enjoy this story as well – it’s just too cute!

*Thank you Gefen Publishing House and LibraryThing for a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review